Release Detail

February 28, 2007 - New Jersey Governor's Approval Inches Up To New High,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Concern For Property Tax Also At New High

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine's approval rating among registered voters has jumped eight
points in the last five weeks, to 50 - 34 percent, his highest marks so far, according to a
Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This compares to a split 42 - 42 percent approval rating in a January 24 poll by the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. Gov. Corzine's previous high
mark was 49 - 32 percent in a December 7 poll.
Voters give Corzine mixed reviews on his handling of a number of issues, and
negative marks on his handling of tax issues, but they approve 2 - 1 the property tax
reduction plan approved by the Legislature with the Governor's backing.

But 62 percent of voters say things have "stayed about the same" in New Jersey
since Corzine became Governor 14 months ago, with 20 percent who say things have
gotten better and 15 percent who say things have gotten worse.

"Even though they give Gov. Corzine mixed reviews, New Jersey voters seem to
forgive him for raising the state sales tax now that they see the money is going into
property tax reduction," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac
University Polling Institute.

"Corzine campaigned for office promising property tax cuts and the voters are
beginning to see he has delivered on that promise."

Voters disapprove 56 - 34 percent of the way Corzine is handling taxes generally
and disapprove 57 - 33 percent of the way he is handling property taxes. On other issues:

Voters approve 42 - 40 percent of Corzine's handling of the state budget;

Approve 39 - 35 percent of his handling of education;

Approve 45 - 35 percent of his handling of the economy and jobs;

Approve 42 - 23 percent of his handling of the environment;

Disapprove 38 - 25 percent of his handling of overdevelopment and sprawl.

"New Jersey voters are unhappy about Gov. Corzine's handling of taxes, property
taxes in particular," Richards added. "But the State Legislature is doing worse as voters
disapprove 68 - 16 percent of the way lawmakers are handling property taxes.

In an open-ended question, where voters can give any answer, 56 percent list taxes
as the most important problem facing New Jersey, with 42 percent specifying property
taxes, the highest mark for this issue in any Quinnipiac University poll in any state.

Voters approve 66 - 27 percent of the plan passed by the Legislature to give
property owners rebates of up to 20 percent. This is the right amount, 46 percent say,
while 37 percent say it's too little and 9 percent say it's too much.

Voters also support 61 - 30 percent the Legislature's bill for a 4 percent annual cap
on property tax increases. But only 58 percent of those supporters, or 35 percent of all
voters, back the cap if it means cuts in services such as public safety and trash collection.

Voters split 48 - 46 percent on whether public employees should be required to pay
more for health insurance and retirement benefits.

State legislators should not be allowed to hold other government positions, New
Jersey voters say 79 - 17 percent. Legislators who already have another government job
should be required to give up one of the jobs, voters say 68 - 27 percent.

From February 20 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,302 New Jersey voters
with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and
nationally as a public service and for research.
For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his job
as Governor?

29. The property tax plan will eliminate property tax rebates for all but
senior citizens and in return give a property tax credit of up to 20 percent
to most New Jersey homeowners. Do you think a 20 percent property tax cut is
too much, too little, or about the right amount?

TREND: The property tax plan * will * eliminate property tax rebates for all but
senior citizens and in return give a property tax credit of up to 20 percent
to most New Jersey homeowners. Do you think a 20 percent property tax cut is
too much, too little, or about the right amount?
* 1/24/07 wording - "now being considered would"

Feb 28 Jan 24
2007 2007

Too much 9 10
Too little 37 29
Right amount 46 49
DK/NA 8 12

30. The New Jersey State Legislature has approved a four percent annual cap
on property tax increases. Do you support or oppose a four percent annual
property tax cap?

TREND: The New Jersey State Legislature * has approved * a four percent annual
cap on property tax increases. Do you support or oppose a four percent annual
property tax cap? * 1/24/07 wording - " is proposing"

Feb 28 Jan 24
2007 2007

Support 61 54
Oppose 30 34
DK/NA 8 12

31. (If 'support' q30) Some mayors and other officials say that a four percent
cap would lead to lay offs and cuts in services like public safety and trash
pick ups. Would you support or oppose a 4 percent cap if it led to these cuts?

TREND: (If support) Some mayors and other officials say that a four percent cap
* will * lead to lay offs and cuts in services like public safety and trash
pick ups. Would you support or oppose a 4 percent cap if it led to these cuts?
* 1/24/07 wording - "would"

IF SUPPORT....
Feb 28 Jan 24
2007 2007

Support 58 53
Oppose 38 41
DK/NA 4 6

32. Do you support or oppose selling or leasing the New Jersey Turnpike and
the Garden State Parkway as a way of reducing New Jersey's debt and possibly
providing money for tax relief?

TREND: Do you support or oppose selling or leasing the New Jersey Turnpike and
the Garden State Parkway as a way of reducing New Jersey's debt and possibly
providing money for tax relief?

Feb 28 Jan 24
2007 2007

Support 34 34
Oppose 56 53
DK/NA 10 12

33. As part of the overall plan to cut budget expenses in New Jersey, do you
support or oppose requiring public employees to pay a higher portion of their
health insurance plans and accept a reduction in future retirement benefits?

TREND: As part of the overall plan to cut budget expenses in New Jersey, do you
support or oppose requiring public employees to pay a higher proportion of their
health insurance plans and accept a reduction in future retirement benefits?

Feb 28 Jan 24
2007 2007

Support 48 46
Oppose 46 46
DK/NA 6 8

34. Some members of the New Jersey legislature hold other government jobs as
well. While serving as legislators some also work as local council members,
mayors and freeholders. Do you think that New Jersey state legislators should
be allowed to hold other government jobs while they are serving in the
legislature or do you think they should not be able to?

35. Eighteen members of the New Jersey legislature currently hold other
government jobs as well. If members of the legislature are prohibited from
holding another government job while serving on the legislature, should these
18 members be grandfathered in and allowed to serve in both positions
or should they have to leave one job?